adam wrote:

Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases may have more serious impacts than previously believed, a major scientific report has said.
...
In the report's foreword, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair writes that "it is now plain that the emission of greenhouse gases... is causing global warming at a rate that is unsustainable."

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said the report's conclusions would be a shock to many people.

rather a contrast to Bush who's having scientists gagged (see nyt)

Currently, the atmosphere contains about 380 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas, compared to levels before the industrial revolution of about 275ppm.
...
"We're going to be at 400 ppm in 10 years' time, I predict that without any delight in saying it," he said.

"But no country is going to turn off a power station which is providing much-desired energy for its population to tackle this problem - we have to accept that.

"To aim for 450 (ppm) would, I am afraid, seem unfeasible."

i've never seen the figures before OMG
plus see the arctic retreat
we're in trouble

There's lots of documentation coming out of major cities where they're citing much higher numbers (450ppm - 600ppm). The numbers are coming out of studies conducted to determine the elevated rates of cancer, respiratory, and cardiac disease in children. There's also a serious drop in school attendance due to asthma attacks and other maladies due to poor air quality (which - surprise! - affects parent's attendance at work). There are now certain areas in LA and San Diego that on very warm days, the air is basically poisonous. Imagine what it's like in Mexico City, Rio de Janero, or Shanghai?! So we're beyond trouble at this point.

RE: BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Stark warning over climate change